第12章

Thekinglookedpuzzled——hewasn"taveryheavyweight,intellectually.

Hisheadwasanhour-glass;itcouldstowanidea,butithadtodoitagrainatatime,notthewholeideaatonce.

"WouldYOUhaveaseatalso——andsit?"

"IfIdidnotsit,themanwouldperceivethatwewereonlypretendingtobeequals——andplayingthedeceptionprettypoorly,too."

"Itiswellandtrulysaid!Howwonderfulistruth,comeitinwhatsoeverunexpectedformitmay!Yes,hemustbringoutseatsandfoodforboth,andinservinguspresentnotewerandnapkinwithmoreshowofrespecttotheonethantotheother."

"Andthereisevenyetadetailthatneedscorrecting.Hemustbringnothingoutside;wewillgoin——inamongthedirt,andpossiblyotherrepulsivethings,——andtakethefoodwiththehousehold,andafterthefashionofthehouse,andallonequalterms,exceptthemanbeoftheserfclass;andfinally,therewillbenoewerandnonapkin,whetherhebeserforfree.Pleasewalkagain,myliege.There——itisbetter——

itisthebestyet;butnotperfect.Theshouldershaveknownnoignoblerburdenthanironmail,andtheywillnotstoop."

"Giveme,then,thebag.Iwilllearnthespiritthatgoethwithburdensthathavenothonor.Itisthespiritthatstoopeththeshoulders,Iween,andnottheweight;forarmorisheavy,yetitisaproudburden,andamanstandethstraightinitNay,butmenobuts,offermenoobjections.

Iwillhavethething.Strapituponmyback."

Hewascompletenowwiththatknapsackon,andlookedaslittlelikeakingasanymanIhadeverseen.Butitwasanobstinatepairofshoulders;

theycouldnotseemtolearnthetrickofstoopingwithanysortofdeceptivenaturalness.Thedrillwenton,Ipromptingandcorrecting:

"Now,makebelieveyouareindebt,andeatenupbyrelentlesscreditors;

youareoutofwork——whichishorse-shoeing,letussay——andcangetnone;andyourwifeissick,yourchildrenarecryingbecausetheyarehungry——"

Andsoon,andsoon.Idrilledhimasrepresentinginturnallsortsofpeopleoutofluckandsufferingdireprivationsandmisfortunes.Butlord,itwasonlyjustwords,words——theymeantnothingintheworldtohim,Imightjustaswellhavewhistled.Wordsrealizenothing,vivifynothingtoyou,unlessyouhavesufferedinyourownpersonthethingwhichthewordstrytodescribe.Therearewisepeoplewhotalkeversoknowinglyandcomplacentlyabout"theworkingclasses,"andsatisfythemselvesthataday"shardintellectualworkisverymuchharderthanaday"shardmanualtoil,andisrighteouslyentitledtomuchbiggerpay.Why,theyreallythinkthat,youknow,becausetheyknowallabouttheone,buthaven"ttriedtheother.ButIknowallaboutboth;andsofarasIamconcerned,thereisn"tmoneyenoughintheuniversetohiremetoswingapickaxethirtydays,butIwilldothehardestkindofintellectualworkforjustasnearnothingasyoucancipheritdown——andIwillbesatisfied,too.

Intellectual"work"ismisnamed;itisapleasure,adissipation,andisitsownhighestreward.Thepoorestpaidarchitect,engineer,general,author,sculptor,painter,lecturer,advocate,legislator,actor,preacher,singerisconstructivelyinheavenwhenheisatwork;andasforthemusicianwiththefiddle-bowinhishandwhositsinthemidstofagreatorchestrawiththeebbingandflowingtidesofdivinesoundwashingoverhim——why,certainly,heisatwork,ifyouwishtocallitthat,butlord,it"sasarcasmjustthesame.Thelawofworkdoesseemutterlyunfair——butthereitis,andnothingcanchangeit:thehigherthepayinenjoymenttheworkergetsoutofit,thehighershallbehispayincash,also.Andit"salsotheverylawofthosetransparentswindles,transmissiblenobilityandkingship.

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter29Chapter29-TheSmallpoxHutWHENwearrivedatthathutatmid-afternoon,wesawnosignsoflifeaboutit.Thefieldnearbyhadbeendenudedofitscropsometimebefore,andhadaskinnedlook,soexhaustivelyhaditbeenharvestedandgleaned.

Fences,sheds,everythinghadaruinedlook,andwereeloquentofpoverty.

Noanimalwasaroundanywhere,nolivingthinginsight.Thestillnesswasawful,itwaslikethestillnessofdeath.Thecabinwasaone-storyone,whosethatchwasblackwithage,andraggedfromlackofrepair.

Thedoorstoodatrifleajar.Weapproacheditstealthily——ontiptoeandathalf-breath——forthatisthewayone"sfeelingmakeshimdo,atsuchatime.Thekingknocked.Wewaited.Noanswer.Knockedagain.Noanswer.Ipushedthedoorsoftlyopenandlookedin.Imadeoutsomedimforms,andawomanstartedupfromthegroundandstaredatme,asonedoeswhoiswakenedfromsleep.Presentlyshefoundhervoice:

"Havemercy!"shepleaded."Allistaken,nothingisleft."

"Ihavenotcometotakeanything,poorwoman."

"Youarenotapriest?"

"No."

"Norcomenotfromthelordofthemanor?"

"No,Iamastranger."

"Oh,then,forthefearofGod,whovisitswithmiseryanddeathsuchasbeharmless,tarrynothere,butfly!Thisplaceisunderhiscurse——andhisChurch"s."

"Letmecomeinandhelpyou——youaresickandintrouble."

Iwasbetterusedtothedimlightnow.Icouldseeherholloweyesfixeduponme.Icouldseehowemaciatedshewas.

"ItellyoutheplaceisundertheChurch"sban.Saveyourself——andgo,beforesomestragglerseetheehere,andreportit."

"Giveyourselfnotroubleaboutme;Idon"tcareanythingfortheChurch"scurse.Letmehelpyou."

"Nowallgoodspirits——iftherebeanysuch——blesstheeforthatword.WouldGodIhadasupofwater!——buthold,hold,forgetIsaidit,andfly;forthereisthatherethatevenhethatfearethnottheChurchmustfear:thisdiseasewhereofwedie.Leaveus,thoubrave,goodstranger,andtakewiththeesuchwholeandsincereblessingasthemthatbeaccursedcangive."

ButbeforethisIhadpickedupawoodenbowlandwasrushingpastthekingonmywaytothebrook.Itwastenyardsaway.WhenIgotbackandentered,thekingwaswithin,andwasopeningtheshutterthatclosedthewindow-hole,toletinairandlight.Theplacewasfullofafoulstench.

Iputthebowltothewoman"slips,andasshegrippeditwithhereagertalonstheshuttercameopenandastronglightfloodedherface.Smallpox!

Isprangtotheking,andsaidinhisear:

"Outofthedoorontheinstant,sire!thewomanisdyingofthatdiseasethatwastedtheskirtsofCamelottwoyearsago."

Hedidnotbudge.

"OfatruthIshallremain——andlikewisehelp."

Iwhisperedagain:

"King,itmustnotbe.Youmustgo."

"Yemeanwell,andyespeaknotunwisely.Butitwereshamethatakingshouldknowfear,andshamethatbeltedknightshouldwithholdhishandwherebesuchasneedsuccor.Peace,Iwillnotgo.Itisyouwhomustgo.TheChurch"sbanisnotuponme,butitforbiddethyoutobehere,andshewilldealwithyouwithaheavyhandanwordcometoherofyourtrespass."

Itwasadesperateplaceforhimtobein,andmightcosthimhislife,butitwasnousetoarguewithhim.Ifheconsideredhisknightlyhonoratstakehere,thatwastheendofargument;hewouldstay,andnothingcouldpreventit;Iwasawareofthat.AndsoIdroppedthesubject.Thewomanspoke:

"Fairsir,ofyourkindnesswillyeclimbtheladderthere,andbringmenewsofwhatyefind?Benotafraidtoreport,fortimescancomewhenevenamother"sheartispastbreaking——beingalreadybroke."

"Abide,"saidtheking,"andgivethewomantoeat.Iwillgo."Andheputdowntheknapsack.

Iturnedtostart,butthekinghadalreadystarted.Hehalted,andlookeddownuponamanwholayinadimlight,andhadnotnoticedusthusfar,orspoken.

"Isityourhusband?"thekingasked.

"Yes."

"Isheasleep?"

"Godbethankedforthatonecharity,yes——thesethreehours.WhereshallIpaytothefull,mygratitude!formyheartisburstingwithitforthatsleephesleepethnow."

Isaid:

"Wewillbecareful.Wewillnotwakehim."

"Ah,no,thatyewillnot,forheisdead."

"Dead?"

"Yes,whattriumphitistoknowit!Nonecanharmhim,noneinsulthimmore.Heisinheavennow,andhappy;orifnotthere,hebidesinhellandiscontent;forinthatplacehewillfindneitherabbotnoryetbishop.Wewereboyandgirltogether;weweremanandwifethesefiveandtwentyyears,andneverseparatedtillthisday.Thinkhowlongthatistoloveandsuffertogether.Thismorningwasheoutofhismind,andinhisfancywewereboyandgirlagainandwanderinginthehappyfields;

andsointhatinnocentgladconversewanderedhefarandfarther,stilllightlygossiping,andenteredintothoseotherfieldsweknownotof,andwasshutawayfrommortalsight.Andsotherewasnoparting,forinhisfancyIwentwithhim;heknewnotbutIwentwithhim,myhandinhis——myyoungsofthand,notthiswitheredclaw.Ah,yes,togo,andknowitnot;toseparateandknowitnot;howcouldonegopeace——fullerthanthat?Itwashisrewardforacruellifepatientlyborne."

Therewasaslightnoisefromthedirectionofthedimcornerwheretheladderwas.Itwasthekingdescending.Icouldseethathewasbearingsomethinginonearm,andassistinghimselfwiththeother.Hecameforwardintothelight;uponhisbreastlayaslendergirloffifteen.Shewasbuthalfconscious;shewasdyingofsmallpox.Herewasheroismatitslastandloftiestpossibility,itsutmostsummit;thiswaschallengingdeathintheopenfieldunarmed,withalltheoddsagainstthechallenger,norewardsetuponthecontest,andnoadmiringworldinsilksandclothofgoldtogazeandapplaud;andyettheking"sbearingwasasserenelybraveasithadalwaysbeeninthosecheapercontestswhereknightmeetsknightinequalfightandclothedinprotectingsteel.Hewasgreatnow;

sublimelygreat.Therudestatuesofhisancestorsinhispalaceshouldhaveanaddition——Iwouldseetothat;anditwouldnotbeamailedkingkillingagiantoradragon,liketherest,itwouldbeakingincommoner"sgarbbearingdeathinhisarmsthatapeasantmothermightlookherlastuponherchildandbecomforted.

Helaidthegirldownbyhermother,whopouredoutendearmentsandcaressesfromanoverflowingheart,andonecoulddetectaflickeringfaintlightofresponseinthechild"seyes,butthatwasall.Themotherhungoverher,kissingher,pettingher,andimploringhertospeak,butthelipsonlymovedandnosoundcame.Isnatchedmyliquorflaskfrommyknapsack,butthewomanforbademe,andsaid:

"No——shedoesnotsuffer;itisbetterso.Itmightbringherbacktolife.Nonethatbesogoodandkindasyearewoulddoherthatcruelhurt.Forlookyou——whatislefttolivefor?Herbrothersaregone,herfatherisgone,hermothergoeth,theChurch"scurseisuponher,andnonemayshelterorbefriendhereventhoughshelayperishingintheroad.

Sheisdesolate.Ihavenotaskedyou,goodheart,ifhersisterbestillonlive,hereoverhead;Ihadnoneed;yehadgoneback,else,andnotleftthepoorthingforsaken——"

"Sheliethatpeace,"interruptedtheking,inasubduedvoice.

"Iwouldnotchangeit.Howrichisthisdayinhappiness!Ah,myAnnis,thoushaltjointhysistersoon——thou"rtonthyway,andthesebemercifulfriendsthatwillnothinder."

Andsoshefelltomurmuringandcooingoverthegirlagain,andsoftlystrokingherfaceandhair,andkissingherandcallingherbyendearingnames;buttherewasscarcelysignofresponsenowintheglazingeyes.

Isawtearswellfromtheking"seyes,andtrickledownhisface.Thewomannoticedthem,too,andsaid:

"Ah,Iknowthatsign:thou"stawifeathome,poorsoul,andyouandshehavegonehungrytobed,many"sthetime,thatthelittleonesmighthaveyourcrust;youknowwhatpovertyis,andthedailyinsultsofyourbetters,andtheheavyhandoftheChurchandtheking."

Thekingwincedunderthisaccidentalhome-shot,butkeptstill;hewaslearninghispart;andhewasplayingitwell,too,foraprettydullbeginner.Istruckupadiversion.Iofferedthewomanfoodandliquor,butsherefusedboth.Shewouldallownothingtocomebetweenherandthereleaseofdeath.ThenIslippedawayandbroughtthedeadchildfromaloft,andlaiditbyher.Thisbrokeherdownagain,andtherewasanotherscenethatwasfullofheartbreak.ByandbyImadeanotherdiversion,andbeguiledhertosketchherstory.

"Yeknowitwellyourselves,havingsufferedit——fortrulynoneofourconditioninBritainescapeit.Itistheold,wearytale.Wefoughtandstruggledandsucceeded;meaningbysuccess,thatwelivedanddidnotdie;morethanthatisnottobeclaimed.Notroublescamethatwecouldnotoutlive,tillthisyearbroughtthem;thencametheyallatonce,asonemightsay,andoverwhelmedus.Yearsagothelordofthemanorplantedcertainfruittreesonourfarm;inthebestpartofit,too——agrievouswrongandshame——"

"Butitwashisright,"interruptedtheking.

"Nonedenieththat,indeed;anthelawmeananything,whatisthelord"sishis,andwhatismineishisalso.Ourfarmwasoursbylease,therefore"twaslikewisehis,todowithitashewould.Somelittletimeago,threeofthosetreeswerefoundhewndown.Ourthreegrownsonsranfrightenedtoreportthecrime.Well,inhislordship"sdungeontheretheylie,whosaiththereshalltheylieandrottilltheyconfess.Theyhavenaughttoconfess,beinginnocent,whereforetherewilltheyremainuntiltheydie.Yeknowthatrightwell,Iween.Thinkhowthisleftus;aman,awomanandtwochildren,togatheracropthatwasplantedbysomuchgreaterforce,yes,andprotectitnightanddayfrompigeonsandprowlinganimalsthatbesacredandmustnotbehurtbyanyofoursort.Whenmylord"scropwasnearlyreadyfortheharvest,soalsowasours;whenhisbellrangtocallustohisfieldstoharvesthiscropfornothing,hewouldnotallowthatIandmytwogirlsshouldcountforourthreecaptivesons,butforonlytwoofthem;so,forthelackingonewerewedailyfined.

Allthistimeourowncropwasperishingthroughneglect;andsoboththepriestandhislordshipfinedusbecausetheirsharesofitweresufferingthroughdamage.Intheendthefinesateupourcrop——andtheytookitall;theytookitallandmadeusharvestitforthem,withoutpayorfood,andwestarving.ThentheworstcamewhenI,beingoutofmymindwithhungerandlossofmyboys,andgrieftoseemyhusbandandmylittlemaidsinragsandmiseryanddespair,utteredadeepblasphemy——oh!athousandofthem!——againsttheChurchandtheChurch"sways.Itwastendaysago.

Ihadfallensickwiththisdisease,anditwastothepriestIsaidthewords,forhewascometochidemeforlackofduehumilityunderthechasteninghandofGod.Hecarriedmytrespasstohisbetters;Iwasstubborn;wherefore,presentlyuponmyheadanduponallheadsthatweredeartome,fellthecurseofRome.

"Sincethatdayweareavoided,shunnedwithhorror.Nonehascomenearthishuttoknowwhetherweliveornot.Therestofusweretakendown.

ThenIrousedmeandgotup,aswifeandmotherwill.Itwaslittletheycouldhaveeateninanycase;itwaslessthanlittletheyhadtoeat.

Buttherewaswater,andIgavethemthat.Howtheycravedit!andhowtheyblessedit!Buttheendcameyesterday;mystrengthbrokedown.YesterdaywasthelasttimeIeversawmyhusbandandthisyoungestchildalive.

Ihavelainhereallthesehours——theseages,yemaysay——listening,listeningforanysounduptherethat——"

Shegaveasharpquickglanceathereldestdaughter,thencriedout,"Oh,mydarling!"andfeeblygatheredthestiffeningformtohershelteringarms.Shehadrecognizedthedeath-rattle.

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter30Chapter30-TheTragedyoftheManor-HouseATmidnightallwasover,andwesatinthepresenceoffourcorpses.Wecoveredthemwithsuchragsaswecouldfind,andstartedaway,fasteningthedoorbehindus.Theirhomemustbethesepeople"sgrave,fortheycouldnothaveChristianburial,orbeadmittedtoconsecratedground.Theywereasdogs,wildbeasts,lepers,andnosoulthatvalueditshopeofeternallifewouldthrowitawaybymeddlinginanysortwiththeserebukedandsmittenoutcasts.

WehadnotmovedfourstepswhenIcaughtasoundasoffootstepsupongravel.Myheartflewtomythroat.Wemustnotbeseencomingfromthathouse.Ipluckedattheking"srobeandwedrewbackandtookshelterbehindthecornerofthecabin.

"Nowwearesafe,"Isaid,"butitwasaclosecall——sotospeak.

Ifthenighthadbeenlighterhemighthaveseenus,nodoubt,heseemedtobesonear."

"Mayhapitisbutabeastandnotamanatall."

"True.Butmanorbeast,itwillbewisetostayhereaminuteandletitgetbyandoutoftheway."

"Hark!Itcomethhither."

Trueagain.Thestepwascomingtowardus——straighttowardthehut.

Itmustbeabeast,then,andwemightaswellhavesavedourtrepidation.

Iwasgoingtostepout,butthekinglaidhishanduponmyarm.Therewasamomentofsilence,thenweheardasoftknockonthecabindoor.

Itmademeshiver.Presentlytheknockwasrepeated,andthenweheardthesewordsinaguardedvoice:

"Mother!Father!Open——wehavegotfree,andwebringnewstopaleyourcheeksbutgladyourhearts;andwemaynottarry,butmustfly!And——buttheyanswernot.Mother!father!——"

Idrewthekingtowardtheotherendofthehutandwhispered:

"Come——nowwecangettotheroad."

Thekinghesitated,wasgoingtodemur;butjustthenweheardthedoorgiveway,andknewthatthosedesolatemenwereinthepresenceoftheirdead.

"Come,myliege!inamomenttheywillstrikealight,andthenwillfollowthatwhichitwouldbreakyourhearttohear."

Hedidnothesitatethistime.ThemomentwewereintheroadIran;

andafteramomenthethrewdignityasideandfollowed.Ididnotwanttothinkofwhatwashappeninginthehut——Icouldn"tbearit;Iwantedtodriveitoutofmymind;soIstruckintothefirstsubjectthatlayunderthatoneinmymind:

"Ihavehadthediseasethosepeoplediedof,andsohavenothingtofear;butifyouhavenothaditalso——"

Hebrokeinuponmetosayhewasintrouble,anditwashisconsciencethatwastroublinghim:

"Theseyoungmenhavegotfree,theysay——butHOW?Itisnotlikelythattheirlordhathsetthemfree."

"Oh,no,Imakenodoubttheyescaped."

"Thatismytrouble;Ihaveafearthatthisisso,andyoursuspiciondothconfirmit,youhavingthesamefear.

"Ishouldnotcallitbythatnamethough.Idosuspectthattheyescaped,butiftheydid,Iamnotsorry,certainly."

"Iamnotsorry,ITHINK——but——"

"Whatisit?Whatisthereforonetobetroubledabout?"

"IFtheydidescape,thenareweboundindutytolayhandsuponthemanddeliverthemagaintotheirlord;foritisnotseemlythatoneofhisqualityshouldsufferasoinsolentandhigh-handedoutragefrompersonsoftheirbasedegree."

Thereitwasagain.Hecouldseeonlyonesideofit.Hewasbornso,educatedso,hisveinswerefullofancestralbloodthatwasrottenwiththissortofunconsciousbrutality,broughtdownbyinheritancefromalongprocessionofheartsthathadeachdoneitssharetowardpoisoningthestream.Toimprisonthesemenwithoutproof,andstarvetheirkindred,wasnoharm,fortheyweremerelypeasantsandsubjecttothewillandpleasureoftheirlord,nomatterwhatfearfulformitmighttake;butforthesementobreakoutofunjustcaptivitywasinsultandoutrage,andathingnottobecountenancedbyanyconscientiouspersonwhoknewhisdutytohissacredcaste.

IworkedmorethanhalfanhourbeforeIgothimtochangethesubject——andeventhenanoutsidematterdiditforme.Thiswasasomethingwhichcaughtoureyesaswestruckthesummitofasmallhill——aredglow,agoodwayoff.

"That"safire,"saidI.

Firesinterestedmeconsiderably,becauseIwasgettingagooddealofaninsurancebusinessstarted,andwasalsotrainingsomehorsesandbuildingsomesteamfire-engines,withaneyetoapaidfiredepartmentbyandby.Thepriestsopposedbothmyfireandlifeinsurance,onthegroundthatitwasaninsolentattempttohinderthedecreesofGod;andifyoupointedoutthattheydidnothinderthedecreesintheleast,butonlymodifiedthehardconsequencesofthemifyoutookoutpoliciesandhadluck,theyretortedthatthatwasgamblingagainstthedecreesofGod,andwasjustasbad.Sotheymanagedtodamagethoseindustriesmoreorless,butIgotevenonmyAccidentbusiness.Asarule,aknightisalummox,andsometimesevenalabrick,andhenceopentoprettypoorargumentswhentheycomegliblyfromasuperstition-monger,butevenHEcouldseethepracticalsideofathingonceinawhile;andsooflateyoucouldn"tcleanupatournamentandpiletheresultwithoutfindingoneofmyaccident-ticketsineveryhelmet.

Westoodthereawhile,inthethickdarknessandstillness,lookingtowardtheredblurinthedistance,andtryingtomakeoutthemeaningofafar-awaymurmurthatroseandfellfitfullyonthenight.Sometimesitswelledupandforamomentseemedlessremote;butwhenwewerehopefullyexpectingittobetrayitscauseandnature,itdulledandsankagain,carryingitsmysterywithit.Westarteddownthehillinitsdirection,andthewindingroadplungedusatonceintoalmostsoliddarkness——darknessthatwaspackedandcrammedinbetweentwotallforestwalls.Wegropedalongdownforhalfamile,perhaps,thatmurmurgrowingmoreandmoredistinctallthetime.thecomingstormthreateningmoreandmore,withnowandthenalittleshiverofwind,afaintshowoflightning,anddullgrumblingsofdistantthunder.Iwasinthelead.Iranagainstsomething——asoftheavysomethingwhichgave,slightly,totheimpulseofmyweight;

atthesamemomentthelightningglaredout,andwithinafootofmyfacewasthewrithingfaceofamanwhowashangingfromthelimbofatree!

Thatis,itseemedtobewrithing,butitwasnot.Itwasagrewsomesight.

Straightwaytherewasanearsplittingexplosionofthunder,andthebottomofheavenfellout;therainpoureddowninadeluge.Nomatter,wemusttrytocutthismandown,onthechancethattheremightbelifeinhimyet,mustn"twe?Thelightningcamequickandsharpnow,andtheplacewasalternatelynoondayandmidnight.Onemomentthemanwouldbehangingbeforemeinanintenselight,andthenexthewasblottedoutagaininthedarkness.Itoldthekingwemustcuthimdown.Thekingatonceobjected.

"Ifhehangedhimself,hewaswillingtolosehimpropertytohislord;

solethimbe.Ifothershangedhim,beliketheyhadtheright——lethimhang."

"But——"

"Butmenobuts,butevenleavehimasheis.Andforyetanotherreason.

Whenthelightningcomethagain——there,lookabroad."

Twoothershanging,withinfiftyyardsofus!

"Itisnotweathermeetfordoinguselesscourtesiesuntodeadfolk.

Theyarepastthankingyou.Come——itisunprofitabletotarryhere."

Therewasreasoninwhathesaid,sowemovedon.Withinthenextmilewecountedsixmorehangingformsbytheblazeofthelightning,andaltogetheritwasagrislyexcursion.Thatmurmurwasamurmurnolonger,itwasaroar;aroarofmen"svoices.Amancameflyingbynow,dimlythroughthedarkness,andothermenchasinghim.Theydisappeared.Presentlyanothercaseofthekindoccurred,andthenanotherandanother.Thenasuddenturnoftheroadbroughtusinsightofthatfire——itwasalargemanorhouse,andlittleornothingwasleftofit——andeverywheremenwereflyingandothermenragingaftertheminpursuit.

Iwarnedthekingthatthiswasnotasafeplaceforstrangers.Wewouldbettergetawayfromthelight,untilmattersshouldimprove.Westeppedbackalittle,andhidintheedgeofthewood.Fromthishiding-placewesawbothmenandwomenhuntedbythemob.Thefearfulworkwentonuntilnearlydawn.Then,thefirebeingoutandthestormspent,thevoicesandflyingfootstepspresentlyceased,anddarknessandstillnessreignedagain.

Weventuredout,andhurriedcautiouslyaway;andalthoughwewerewornoutandsleepy,wekeptonuntilwehadputthisplacesomemilesbehindus.Thenweaskedhospitalityatthehutofacharcoalburner,andgotwhatwastobehad.Awomanwasupandabout,butthemanwasstillasleep,onastrawshake-down,ontheclayfloor.ThewomanseemeduneasyuntilIexplainedthatweweretravelersandhadlostourwayandbeenwanderinginthewoodsallnight.Shebecametalkative,then,andaskedifwehadheardoftheterriblegoings-onatthemanor-houseofAbblasoure.Yes,wehadheardofthem,butwhatwewantednowwasrestandsleep.Thekingbrokein:

"Sellusthehouseandtakeyourselvesaway,forwebeperilouscompany,beinglatecomefrompeoplethatdiedoftheSpottedDeath."

Itwasgoodofhim,butunnecessary.Oneofthecommonestdecorationsofthenationwasthewaffleironface.Ihadearlynoticedthatthewomanandherhusbandwerebothsodecorated.Shemadeusentirelywelcome,andhadnofears;andplainlyshewasimmenselyimpressedbytheking"sproposition;

for,ofcourse,itwasagooddealofaneventinherlifetorunacrossapersonoftheking"shumbleappearancewhowasreadytobuyaman"shouseforthesakeofanight"slodging.Itgaveheralargerespectforus,andshestrainedtheleanpossibilitiesofherhoveltotheutmosttomakeuscomfortable.

Weslepttillfarintotheafternoon,andthengotuphungryenoughtomakecotterfarequitepalatabletotheking,themoreparticularlyasitwasscantinquantity.Andalsoinvariety;itconsistedsolelyofonions,salt,andthenationalblackbreadÑmadeoutofhorsefeed.

Thewomantoldusabouttheaffairoftheeveningbefore.Attenorelevenatnight,wheneverybodywasinbed,themanor-houseburstintoflames.

Thecountry-sideswarmedtotherescue,andthefamilyweresaved,withoneexception,themaster.Hedidnotappear.Everybodywasfranticoverthisloss,andtwobraveyeomensacrificedtheirlivesinransackingtheburninghouseseekingthatvaluablepersonage.Butafterawhilehewasfound——whatwasleftofhim——whichwashiscorpse.Itwasinacopsethreehundredyardsaway,bound,gagged,stabbedinadozenplaces.

Whohaddonethis?Suspicionfelluponahumblefamilyintheneighborhoodwhohadbeenlatelytreatedwithpeculiarharshnessbythebaron;andfromthesepeoplethesuspicioneasilyextendeditselftotheirrelativesandfamiliars.Asuspicionwasenough;mylord"sliveriedretainersproclaimedaninstantcrusadeagainstthesepeople,andwerepromptlyjoinedbythecommunityingeneral.Thewoman"shusbandhadbeenactivewiththemob,andhadnotreturnedhomeuntilnearlydawn.Hewasgonenowtofindoutwhatthegeneralresulthadbeen.Whilewewerestilltalkinghecamebackfromhisquest.Hisreportwasrevoltingenough.Eighteenpersonshangedorbutchered,andtwoyeomenandthirteenprisonerslostinthefire.

"Andhowmanyprisonersweretherealtogetherinthevaults?"

"Thirteen."

"Theneveryoneofthemwaslost?"

"Yes,all."

"Butthepeoplearrivedintimetosavethefamily;howisittheycouldsavenoneoftheprisoners?"

Themanlookedpuzzled,andsaid:

"Wouldoneunlockthevaultsatsuchatime?Marry,somewouldhaveescaped."

"ThenyoumeanthatnobodyDIDunlockthem?"

"Nonewentnearthem,eithertolockorunlock.Itstandethtoreasonthattheboltswerefast;whereforeitwasonlyneedfultoestablishawatch,sothatifanybrokethebondshemightnotescape,butbetaken.

Noneweretaken."

"Natheless,threedidescape,"saidtheking,"andyewilldowelltopublishitandsetjusticeupontheirtrack,forthesemurtheredthebaronandfiredthehouse."

Iwasjustexpectinghewouldcomeoutwiththat.Foramomentthemanandhiswifeshowedaneagerinterestinthisnewsandanimpatiencetogooutandspreadit;thenasuddensomethingelsebetrayeditselfintheirfaces,andtheybegantoaskquestions.Iansweredthequestionsmyself,andnarrowlywatchedtheeffectsproduced.Iwassoonsatisfiedthattheknowledgeofwhothesethreeprisonerswerehadsomehowchangedtheatmosphere;

thatourhosts"continuedeagernesstogoandspreadthenewswasnowonlypretendedandnotreal.Thekingdidnotnoticethechange,andIwasgladofthat.Iworkedtheconversationaroundtowardotherdetailsofthenight"sproceedings,andnotedthatthesepeoplewererelievedtohaveittakethatdirection.

Thepainfulthingobservableaboutallthisbusinesswasthealacritywithwhichthisoppressedcommunityhadturnedtheircruelhandsagainsttheirownclassintheinterestofthecommonoppressor.Thismanandwomanseemedtofeelthatinaquarrelbetweenapersonoftheirownclassandhislord,itwasthenaturalandproperandrightfulthingforthatpoordevil"swholecastetosidewiththemasterandfighthisbattleforhim,withouteverstoppingtoinquireintotherightsorwrongsofthematter.

Thismanhadbeenouthelpingtohanghisneighbors,andhaddonehisworkwithzeal,andyetwasawarethattherewasnothingagainstthembutameresuspicion,withnothingbackofitdescribableasevidence,stillneitherhenorhiswifeseemedtoseeanythinghorribleaboutit.

Thiswasdepressing——toamanwiththedreamofarepublicinhishead.Itremindedmeofatimethirteencenturiesaway,whenthe"poorwhites"ofourSouthwhowerealwaysdespisedandfrequentlyinsultedbytheslave-lordsaroundthem,andwhoowedtheirbaseconditionsimplytothepresenceofslaveryintheirmidst,wereyetpusillanimouslyreadytosidewiththeslave-lordsinallpoliticalmovesfortheupholdingandperpetuatingofslavery,anddidalsofinallyshouldertheirmusketsandpourouttheirlivesinanefforttopreventthedestructionofthatveryinstitutionwhichdegradedthem.Andtherewasonlyoneredeemingfeatureconnectedwiththatpitifulpieceofhistory;andthatwas,thatsecretlythe"poorwhite"diddetesttheslave-lord,anddidfeelhisownshame.

Thatfeelingwasnotbroughttothesurface,butthefactthatitwasthereandcouldhavebeenbroughtout,underfavoringcircumstances,wassomething——infact,itwasenough;foritshowedthatamanisatbottomaman,afterall,evenifitdoesn"tshowontheoutside.

Well,asitturnedout,thischarcoalburnerwasjustthetwinoftheSouthern"poorwhite"ofthefarfuture.Thekingpresentlyshowedimpatience,andsaid:

"Anyeprattleherealltheday,justicewillmiscarry.Thinkyethecriminalswillabideintheirfather"shouse?Theyarefleeing,theyarenotwaiting.Youshouldlooktoitthatapartyofhorsebesetupontheirtrack."

Thewomanpaledslightly,butquiteperceptibly,andthemanlookedflusteredandirresolute.Isaid:

"Come,friend,Iwillwalkalittlewaywithyou,andexplainwhichdirectionIthinktheywouldtrytotake.IftheyweremerelyresistersofthegabelleorsomekindredabsurdityIwouldtrytoprotectthemfromcapture;butwhenmenmurderapersonofhighdegreeandlikewiseburnhishouse,thatisanothermatter."

Thelastremarkwasfortheking——toquiethim.Ontheroadthemanpulledhisresolutiontogether,andbeganthemarchwithasteadygait,buttherewasnoeagernessinit.ByandbyIsaid:

"Whatrelationwerethesementoyou——cousins?"

Heturnedaswhiteashislayerofcharcoalwouldlethim,andstopped,trembling.

"Ah,myGod,howknowyethat?"

"Ididn"tknowit;itwasachanceguess."

"Poorlads,theyarelost.Andgoodladstheywere,too."